Evaluation of an Environmental Management Training Tool (EMTT) to Establish Physiological Pacing Strategies in Extreme Environments.

Title: Evaluation of an Environmental Management Training Tool (EMTT) to Establish   Physiological Pacing Strategies in Extreme Environments.

Solicitation:   PANMRA-20-P-0000-004641

Notice Type: Request for Information (RFI)

Response Date:  18 June 2020

NAICS:                                                                                                                   

541715 – Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Scope:  This new requirement is to acquire the contractor to conduct a series of experiments to assess and improve the performance of the pacing algorithms. Three experiments are envisioned:

1.  A laboratory study to examine the effect of fitness level on pacing guidance;

2.  A field study in the (flat terrain load carriage) heat to determine the effects of the EMTT pacing tool on ruck march performance and associated physiological responses and the impact of EMTT as an acute educational tool to optimize pacing strategies (minimizing heat strain relative to pace).

3.  A field study in the heat that includes the addition of complex, varied terrain with the EMTT pacing tool. The final methods for this field trial will be developed after completion of the initial field trial to optimize study design and sample size needs.

Additionally, the Contractor shall provide intellectual assistance in research design and conduct, to include all data collected and a comprehensive final report that could be in the form of a peer-reviewed scientific publication or multiple publications with detailed appendices separate from quarterly and final reports.

RFI INSTRUCTIONS:

Interested parties are asked to respond to this RFI and submit a capabilities statement that supports the focus of this RFI.  Please review the place of performance requirements. Please submit written responses via email in Microsoft Office 2000 or 2007 format.  All responses should be complete: in 12-point font; and not to exceed 5 pages total, including graphics, tables, and appendices.

No hardcopies shall be accepted. No written solicitation document is available at this time. Telephone requests will not be honored, and no bidders list shall be maintained. No inquiries regarding any potential future acquisition activities shall be entertained.

There is proprietary information involved in this requirement which may preclude some established clinical trial centers from competing on this requirement, although no decisions have been finalized at this time.

Potential offerors are requested to direct all questions via email to the Point of Contact listed below. Responses are due to the Point of Contact, Ms. Flodean Billings at email:  flodean.p.billings.civ@mail.mil  no later than 9:00AM EST, Thursday, June 18, 2020.

CAUTION:  This is an active requirement. Contractors are strictly prohibited from discussing this requirement with any member of the program office. All discussion shall be with the point of contact listed above.

DISCLAIMER:  This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. Neither unsolicited proposals nor any kinds of offers will be considered in response to this RFI. Responses to this notice are not offers and will not be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned.